Read on to find out the latest news and dt forget your diary as there are several upcoming events as we head towards the end of the year.

Firstly, the Impact Group met twice during October at Longcliffe. The meeting on the 7th gave us the opportunity to reflect on the Group and how we would like meetings to run in the future. It was agreed that we should continue to meet every two weeks but it was also suggested that when there are 5 Tuesdays in the month we should have a social meeting as well. Please keep checking ‘Dates for your Diary’, the What’s App group and the signing in sheet for events, information and any changes. On 21st October, Debbie Thrusell from LOROS joined us at Longcliffe. LOROS is facing financial difficulties due to a number of factors including the rise in the cost of living and increases in the Minimum Wage and National Insurance contributions. Interestingly, there has been a reduction in the money pledged to LOROS through legacies by around £2 million. LOROS have strategically closed a ward in order to reduce operating costs but this has resulted in the number of beds being reduced from thirty-one to eighteen. Despite these challenging times Debbie spoke with optimism and Loughborough Impact Group presented her with a donation of £500. The Raising the Roof concert to be held by RCLB and 2026 Golf Day will be in aid of LOROS. . Friday 24th October marked End Polio Day. Ros and Diane spent a busy Saturday afternoon and put ‘Operation Crocus’ (as they called it!) into action. The 4000 purple ‘Ruby Giant’ corms were counted, packaged and labelled ready for sale throughout October to raise funds and awareness for Rotary’s End Polio Charity. There are a handful of bags left should anyone wish to still make a purchase. Contact Ros or Diane. The Coats 4 Kids Quiz Night also took place on the 24th October with 70 people attending to try their luck at questions about 1984, trees, food and drink, lucky dip, world landmarks and finding the missing words in the ‘acrostic’ round. Thank you to all who were involved in making the evening a success, especially to Steve Delaney and Sandra Roberts who were the quiz masters. Approximately £750 was raised which will fund 30 brand new winter coats for primary school aged children in Charnwood. Unfortunately, there was an error when transferring the scores of two similarly named teams to the master copy. Hence, ‘Six of the Best’ were not actually the BEST, and ‘Lucky Six’ were UNLUCKY not to be publicly acknowledged as the winners on the night. Apologies for this. Congratulations go to Peter, Bob & Diane, Sue Howard and David T. Diane has been spreading the word about Coats 4 Kids and was delighted to be invited to Loughborough Inner Wheel to give a talk and then also RC of Loughborough Beacon where she also shared some thought-provoking data in regard to child poverty. If you weren’t able to make it to the Quiz, here are a few world landmarks from the picture round. Answers next time! The demand for Home Starter Boxes continues and the team gathered on Thursday 23rd October to pack another 10 boxes. Ros and Diane also attended the monthly RC of Loughborough Beacon Council meeting.

Dates for your diary…

4th November: Joint event: RCLB/LIG and JIG. Skittles at The Wheatsheaf in Thurcaston from 5pm to 9pm. Food to be served at 6pm. See Beacon Wiki for details and food choice.

11th November: Baroness Morgan of Cotes will speak to RC of Loughborough Beacon at Longcliffe Golf Club in the evening.

15th November: Living Without Abuse ‘Strictly’ event at the Cedars Academy, Birstall. Tickets £12 per person.

18th November: Friends of Rainbows Festive Wreath Making Workshop. See rainbows website for more information (Fundraise/Events tab). £25 for materials, tuition, hot drink and cake.

25th November: Loughborough Impact Group Ten-pin bowling at the Meridian.

26th November: LIG Session of Charnwood Talking News.

29th November: Raising the Roof Charity Concert at Hodson Hall, Loughborough Grammar School at 7pm. Organised by RC of Loughborough Beacon. LOROS to be main beneficiary.

29th November: A Christmas Variety Show by Suzanne & the Entertainers @ the Polish Social Club in aid of Prostaid. Details from David Hollins.

2nd December: Lunchtime meeting at Longcliffe.

7th December: The Loughborough Santa Run organised by Rainbows. All LIG members are encouraged to help this event. Contact Claire Hoggan events@rainbows.co.uk

9th December: SGM for RC of Loughborough Beacon in the evening at Longcliffe Golf Club. Members are encouraged to attend.

14th December: PP Carl has invited members and partners of the Impact Group to Christmas Cheer at his home. From 2-4pm. Mulled wine and mince pies.

16th December: Impact Group Christmas Lunch at Longcliffe Golf Club. Friends and partners are welcome.